Telephone Interview Help

[vladi]

So, one of the companies who runs graduate programs that I applied for has contacted me back and asked me for a telephone interview. In the email, they said that the purpose of the interview was "to learn more about my background and experience. There will be no technical questions at this stage of the process". On their website they describe it as "a good opportunity for you to highlight your background, extra-curricular activities, your time at University and any work experience to date."

I know there are a few people around the place who do conduct interviews and such, so i'm curious if you guys know any questions they might ask at this type of interview, or if it really is as plain and simple as they describe? I guess I am a little anxious as I've never had an interview before.

Cheers.

[dwarfthrower]

Generally a telephone interview is used as a bit of a screening process to weed out people who can't communicate effectively without the hassle of dragging them in for a formal interview. Often they can be a real prick of a thing to spring on someone because they can catch you off guard - nothing like a potential employer calling when you're on the shitter.

Tell them you'd love to do a phone interview, then nail down a day and time when it will occur. That way you can get yourself in an "interview" mindset rather than a "trying not to miss my tram-stop while avoiding the person next to me's body odour" mindset.

Make a list of all the things you think they would like to hear about. Generally the phone interview will be more general chit-chat about where you're coming from - especially for a graduate position - so just make yourself a cheat-sheet with about a dozen possible talking points and just pick and choose according to how the interview progresses.

Remember that if it's a graduate position you're applying for then chances are they're not going to be as impressed with massive amounts of technical knowledge as they are with a demonstrated willingness to learn and adapt.

[kleph]

practice using a tape recorder. it makes a world of difference. concentrate on avoiding "uh's" "like's" and other little slangisms that we often litter our speech with unconsiously. remember, first impression matter a lot and, in this case, all you have is your voice. your resume has already got their attention so you already have the advantage.

[still life]

One thing I often screwed up in phone interviews was very simple:

Speaking too quickly.

It helps a lot if you can get over your normal interview-jitters and speak slightly slowly and quite clearly. It's easier for them to understand you and it makes you appear more definate and considered (my opinion obviously).

[Cordis]

Here are a few pieces of advice:

1) Remember speak slowly and confidently. Its better to be a bit louder than too soft as it can sound like a confidence issue.
2) Make sure if you can to get yourself a queit place where you can concentrate. So try to avoid, parents, kids, friends, loud places, public transport etc.
3) Make sure your phone is working properly especially if its a mobile phone ensure the battery is fully charged and your are in a good reception area.
4) Ensure you ask one decnt question as it shows interest.
5) If you get tongue tied and say something stupid just pause recollect yourself and move on as it never happened, don't dwell on it the interviewer will understand.
6) Make sure you answer the phone properly, the amount of people who answer the phone with 'yo' or 'what' is disturbing. Best way to do is "Good morning/afternoon, [Your name] speaking"
7) Be concise unless instructed not to do so, if you get past the phone interview you can tell them your story.
8) Try to sound interested so vary your pitch and tone as it shows warmth and interest.
9) At the end thank them for their interest and tell them you look forward to their reply.

[tomsyman]

They'll probably ask why you want to work there or what you know of the company so do some research on them and be able to ask them a question.

[Kyle]

Try to make sure you don't sound like a phone sex operator.

Also, just stay calm, speak evenly, don't freak out, and try to make sure you are controlling what's happening to your voice. Sometimes when people get nervous, they rely on a word to fill in spaces within their sentences "um, like, uhhhhh". It's bad to use those! Vewwy bad!

[vladi]

Thank you all, you all gave me some great advice :-) I'll let you know how I go, its in 5 days time.

[vladi]

Update: Well I absolutely ace'd the telephone interview, cheers for the advice, it came in quite handy! . I got to the next stage where I had to do a psychometric/aptitude online test. I think I did pretty well in the word/spatial associations, but the maths part of it I couldn't finish in the given time, mainly because some of the questions actually required full-blown algebra, though I'm pretty sure I got most of the number sequence type questions correct. Fingers crossed heh.

[vladi]

Update: I passed the subsequent online aptitude test, and have been invited to attend a face-to-face interview at their office in Perth. This is the final stage of the recruitment process, and I imagine there can't be many applicants left at this stage. The only minor problem is that I live in Adelaide. My question is, do companies normally pay for flights+accomodation for potential employees who they wish to interview, if that person is from interstate? Or is it expected that I pay for it myself? While I do have a fair bit of $ saved up, ~$600 isn't exactly pocket change for me either.

Cheers.

[dwarfthrower]

My question is, do companies normally pay for flights+accomodation for potential employees who they wish to interview, if that person is from interstate?

The company I work for does... Either that or we'll fly to them.

[vladi]

Bit of thread necromancy here but...

A company I had applied for flew me to Perth last week, all went all, and I just found out I got the job. w00T. Mucho thanks to the people who gave me advice in this thread.

[GeeWhiz]

Congratulations, having a job is awesome. None of that lining up at centrelink shit.